A Cruise Speaker Post Script

A cruise post script from Club member and Australian bestselling author Liliane Grace:

I first heard about Daniel's 'Speakers Cruise Free' opportunity when he was interviewed by Carolyn McCormack in about April 2008, and I was instantly intrigued and keen. I had long wanted to cruise, so this was a telecall that I really paid attention to. I signed up, read the ebook, and started listening to his telecalls. Eventually I had my one-on-one coaching session with Daniel and I found him to be very helpful.

Some months later when the opportunity arose to participate in the Speakers Directory, I sent my first draft material through and then called Daniel to check on some point or other. Imagine my delight when he said, "You've got good timing. I need someone who can depart Sydney - can you?" Being Melbourne-based, Sydney is only one hour away by plane, and I instantly said yes. The opportunity was only about 6 weeks hence so it was all systems go with making my sample video and checking out the cruise itineraries etc. And all of this was happening during the most intense time in my working life than ever.

Before I knew it I was booked as a Guest Lecturer on Rhapsody of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship heading to New Caledonia and Vanuatu for 10 nights. I don't think I quite believed it until my contract arrived by email - or maybe until I was heading to Sydney with my guest (my sister, Yvette), and cases brimming with summer clothes and books and support material for my presentations...

And then it was just a series of "WOWs!" for 10 days. WOW! at the sight of the ship when we arrived at the dock (running late after a series of mishaps, only to find that the ship had had their own system breakdown and they were backlogged with guests, so it turned out okay that we were late). WOW! as we donned our life jackets for the routine evacuation drill and packed together with all guests on the promenade deck under the life boats. WOW! as we explored the ship that evening. (I'm a dancer, and discovering four dance floors and live bands and then realising that we would be able to attend live Las Vegas quality shows each night was awesome!) WOW! as we enjoyed our first meal onboard - absolutely delicious, and so much of it! and all free!!!! WOW! as we fell asleep that first night in our tiny inside cabin in pitch blackness, being gently rocked by the seas... Then WOW! as I took an early morning walk surrounded by blue skies and endless seas, and literally felt tears of gratitude in my eyes. When my sister joined me she was almost having to pinch herself to make sure this wasn't all a dream.

More WOWS! The endless buffet breakfast, the pool and jogging track on Deck 9... Heading to Conference Room #4 to run my first session (Beginner French) at 10 am. So many people turned up that we had to call for more chairs, and this became a pattern for each of my sessions. In fact, by the final session on Day 10, we had people sitting on the floor, standing at the back, and literally unable to get into the room! It was an absolute blast! I felt very special as guests stopped me throughout the cruise to thank me for my various classes, and I was delighted that I was able to sell all the books I had taken on board (being a self-published author).

The cruise staff were all wonderful and helpful (especially the Store Manager, when I first submitted prices for my books in Aussie Dollars, forgetting that they should be in US$). My books were displayed on the store counter just as Daniel had promised. I was rapt - even though it was the liquor counter and I was wondering how many people would look for kids' books there... (But they all sold!)

I was amazed by how many seasoned cruisers there were - people who have cruised five or ten - as many as 99 times! Here's to that. My first cruise was a wonderful adventure and I am looking forward to doing it again many times, and to bringing my children and husband. (In fact, when my daughters were watching a movie a few nights ago that was set on a ship, I found myself feeling homesick for life on board ship...) So THANK YOU, DANIEL! for providing a bridge into this tremendous new world.